YOUNG people are being urged to bridge the generation gap and get involved in York's annual festival for the over-50s.

Sue Lister, coordinator of the York 50+ Festival, says it offers a chance to bring young and old people together across the generations, but there are currently no intergenerational events in the pipeline.

"This is a time for Gran and Grandpa to go out on a spree with the youngsters, a time for families to have fun together, a time for enterprising children to work on projects with older people and a time for laughter to brighten loneliness," she said.

"It's a time for the sharing of skills and knowledge, stories and song between the generations."

She said successful events from previous years included a bake off and tea party, family fun day, model boat regatta, miniature steam railway, bring-your-grandparents-to-school day, poems for children and teddy bear's picnic.

She believed students at the city's colleges and universities and also York's youth groups could get involved.

"We can use the 50+ Festival to bring families together, to ease the isolation of single or bereaved people, to understand and empathise across cultures, to reach out beyond one's own age group and find common purpose across the generations," she said.

"Why not put an event in the Festival programme? The door is wide open. How would people like to participate? Just fill in an event form or contact me on 01904 488870 to discuss possibilities."

She said the deadline was July 20, and events forms could be found on the YOPA website at www.yorkassembly.org.uk/festival or by phoning 01904 761240.

The festival, which was set up in 2005 by Sue to coincide with the October 1 celebration of the International Day of Older People at home and abroad, runs this year from September 27 to October 5.